Water or aquatic game, and the like, and apparatus therefor



July 16, 1940. w. HOELTJE 1 2,207,364

WATER OR AQUATIC GAME, AND THE LIKE, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed May 10, 1959 1 l4 A 17 ie 7' A 17 10 ie 1 L5; A F, L16 7 E9 INVENTOR.

BY lwi l lre rzo elg e,

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED" STATES WATER OR AQUATIC GAME, AND THE. LIKE, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Walter Hoeltje, Elmhurst, 111.

Application May 10, 1939, Serial No. 272,831

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in water or aquatic games and the apparatus for playing the same. The game herein disclosed is one intended to be played by a number of players, for

example, four or eight, or ten and is generally played by said players acting in opposing teams. For example, the game may be readily played by two teams of four or five players each, or by two teams of two players each, or other combinations. The game also involves elements of skill in playing, including the skillful throwing or tossing of a ball or the like; and, the game is also generally played by a rotating or advancing system 'of plays, and scores are kept in accordance with the skill displayed by the players of each team.

It is an object of the invention to provide a 'very simple arrangement of equipment and parts for, carrying on the game, and one which may be readily made at low cost, but still of an attractive appearance and of durability; and to also so arrange thenecessary parts that they may be readily packed into a very small space to provide a small and light package for ready carrying about. Also to so arrange the parts that they may readily set up in the lake or pool where the game is to be played, and on very short notice and withlittle work.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In thedrawing;

Figure 1 shows a typical layout of the apparatus used in playing the game herein disclosed, there being accommodations for four players on each team; I

Figure 2 shows on enlarged scale a detail view of one of the floats-for sustaining and spacing the cords, etc.';

Figure 3 shows a bottom view corresponding to Figure 2; and

Figure 4 shows a cross-section taken on the lines 44 of Figures 2 and 3, looking in the directions of the arrows.

Referring first to Figure l, the game herein disclosed is played by use of apparatus including a series of float members, l0, each of the general form shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. These float members may be of comparatively .small size and low cost, and by making them of small size, also, they may be readily packed into a package of small size. In the arrangement shown there are provided four of these floats, numbered H, l2, l3 and M, respectively; and all of the floats are connected together by a cord or tape or a series of cords or tapes I5 extending between the various floats in a lengthwise direction. Some- 7 times this cord will take the form of a series of sections extending between the consecutive floats, whereas, in other cases use may be made of a single strand extending through or over or past the various floats. The form of the invention shown in the drawing is of the latter type. The tape I5 is therefore extended over or through all 10 of the floats in a row.

Connected to each float there are also the two lateral cords or tapes such as l6 and H which may be stretched out sidewise away from the floats as shown in Figure 1. 15

Now in the playing of the game it is intended that there shall be one player assigned to each of the cords or tapes l6 for one team, and one player assigned to each of the cords or tapes I! for the other team; besides which thereis ahead player for each team; and there being four each of the cords l6 and I1, there will, in the form shown, be four players and also a head player on each team, that is, five members to the team, or ten in all. Manifestly, a greater or less number of players may be assigned to each team, de-

pending on the number of such floats and cords or tapes.

In the playing of the game, the players of each team. take hold of the ends of the cords IE or H as the same may be, and hold the same out at full length as shown in Figure 1; and the head, player of each team assumes a position such as shown at the points I8 and I9 in Figure 1. It will be noted that the surfaces of the floats are providedwith markings, such as I0, 20, 30 and "40, respectively, progressively along the series, there being two markings on each float so that there is a series of such markings extendingprogressively from the position of each head player to the far end of the series, measured from his position 18 or l9 as the case may be. Furthermore, it is intended that the more distant markings measured from the position of each head player, should be of low denomination, so that the denominations of the series increase as the head player is approached.

The game is intended to be played in the following manner:

The players of each team assume positions on the cords or tapes l6 and H, as the case may be, and one or another of the players has first been assigned to the position of head player for his team. The head players assume positions at the points l8 and I9 and do not hold the cords as long as they are head players. With the players assigned to positions as above explained each head player throws a ball or other selected object along his side of the series in an eflort to settle the ball in the space just beyond the cord connected to the far float; for example, in this operation the head player [8 will endeavor to place his ball in the position just beyond the cord l6 connected to the float It. If successful in this operation he will have the ball returned to him and he will then endeavor to throw it into the space just beyond the next closer cord I6, (namely, the one connected to the float l3) and thus in sequence he will endeavor to place the ball each time in a closer location, until finally he has successfully negOtiated the entire series of positions.

Each time the head player succeeds in placing the ball in the proper position his team scores an amount equal to the number shown on the float for his team, and as the game proceeds these amounts are added up for the progressive total score. It Will be noted that the numbers for scorings in the more remote locations, measured from the position of each head player, are less than the numbers for scorings in closer locations, so that as the game proceeds, not only is the placement of the ball in each pocket easier, but also the additive scoring becomes greater, so that the speed of the game increases as it proceeds.

Whenever a head player fails to place his ball in the proper location he plays out, and the members of his team then advance progressively towards the head position l8 or 19 as the case may be, and the head player moves to the farthest position on his team, and then the playing proceeds in the same manner until the newly assumed head player is out, when the advancement proceeds in the same manner.

As the playing of each team proceeds the scores of such team are accumulated, and when the playing finally ceases the winning team is the one with the highest total score.

Now considering the details of the apparatus more in detail, reference may be had to Figures '2, 3 and 4. Therein each float is shown in the form of a circular disk like hollow member 20, having the tape 2| extending over and suitably secured to its top surface; and the numberings for scoring may be readily placed on the top face of the tape and at the sides thereof corresponding to the locations of the teams. Each float may also be provided with the lateral eyelets 22 and 23 to receive the laterally extending cords (l6 and l 'l) which may be readily secured thereto.

Manifestly, the floats may be made of any suitable material, either metal or composition, or'wood, etc., and either cut out, or pressed out, or otherwise formed, it being only necessary that they be sufiiciently buoyant in the Water. Furthermore, the cords or tapes may be of any suitable material, but preferably the centrally extending cord I5 should be wider or more prominent than the laterally extending cords or tapes l6 and [1, so as to emphasize the demarcation between the two teams.

Manifestly, also, the apparatus hereinbeforeset forth may be readily folded or packed up into a very small space for convenient carriage to and.-

from the place of use.

While I have herein shown and described only a single embodiment of the features of my present invention, and only a single manner of playing my improved game, still I do not intend to limit myself thereto, except as I may do so in the claims to follow.

I claim: 1. A game of skill comprising in combination a series of floats intended for flotation on the surface of water, a central cord or the like, connecting all said floats together in a series, a pair of laterally extending cords ortapes connected to the opposite sides of each float, and intended for holding by the various players, and suitable markings on the top surfaces of the floats to designate scorings corresponding to pitched plays of a head player occupying a position at one end of the series at each side of the central cord or the like, substantially as described.

2. An aquatic or water game of skill comprising in combination a series of floats intended for flotation on the surface of water, a central cord or the like, connecting all said floats together in a series, lateral cords or the like extending out laterally from both sides of each float, and markings in the top surface of each float designating scorings credited to head players and teams, said scorings increasing in denomination progressively as the plays become easier, substantially as described.

3. An aquatic or water game of skill comprising in combination a series of floats intended for flotation on the surface of Water, a central cord or the like, connecting all said floats together in a series, lateral cords or the like extending out laterally from both sides of each" float, and suitable markings on the top surfaces of the floats to designate scorings credited to the teams playing at the sides of the central cord or the like, substantially as described.

4. An aquatic or water game of skill comprising in combination a series of floats intended for flotation on the surface of water,.cord.means connecting said floats together in a series, lateral cords or the like extending out laterally from. both sides of each float, and suitable markings on each float to designate scorings credited to teams playing at the sides of theseri-es, substantially as described. v,

WALTER HOELTJE. 

